2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 84.0% of Mercedes-Benz GLCs first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 37,922 GLC first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, tyres and noise, emissions and leaks.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mercedes-Benz GLCs first used in 2017 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, GLCs first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the GLC figure was 5.8 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 GLC | All cars first used 2017 | GLC first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.1% | 85.9% | 13,226 |
| 2022 | 87.9% | 83.9% | 12,948 |
| 2023 | 86.0% | 81.7% | 12,787 |
| 2024 | 84.5% | 79.8% | 12,682 |
| 2025 | 84.0% | 78.2% | 12,453 |
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT failures
Share of the 5,736 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 26.8% | 1,537 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 13.5% | 776 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.7% | 557 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 8.8% | 507 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 7.3% | 418 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a GLC in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
Common 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 GLCs, as a share of all 37,922 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.8% | 6,369 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.5% | 3,226 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 7.7% | 2,908 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.5% | 2,096 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 4.2% | 1,589 |
Questions about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
In 2025, 84.0% of GLCs first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 GLC most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 34.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (33.9%) and noise, emissions and leaks (12.6%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (26.8%).
How often does a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC fail its MOT?
In 2025, 16.0% of first tests on GLCs first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 14.0% failed, and a further 2.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,736 of 37,922 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.5%), “Ball joint: has slight play” (7.7%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.5%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.2%).
Is a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 89.1% in 2021 to 84.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
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